She and her team also have an ongoing need for the practical "nuts and bolts" of the non-profit center Ð items that can also be donated Ð including very strong old or new cloth (preferably denim); stainless steel feeding and washing bowls; old and new towels, bedding and blankets; disinfectant; shampoo and bath lotions; calcium tablets and virtually anything else that can be put to good use rather than lying forgotten at your home, office or factory.

Zhang LuPing gently points out the proven fact that interaction with animals brings untold emotional benefits to humans, children especially because early on they learn about the priceless nature of love and loyalty through contact with domestic cats and dogs in particular. There is much ignorance in China about these and wild animals alike. Like so many things, it's a question of education Ð or rather, at present, a severe lack of it.
In this context, we see Zhang Luping, by her example, as a prime educator. Other people also see her in this role, witness her constant lectures to universities and schools on animal protection. As she tells her listeners: "hhere are 50,000 abandoned cats and dogs in Beijing, so what I and my staff do at the center seems all too little. The best thing, obviously, is to educate people to stop abandoning their pets. Another of my long-term hopes is to set up a foundation whose role will be to support even more aspects of animal protection. This can only happen if my center survives without too many financial and other worries, enabling me to concentrate on the idea.Ó

She went on: "It may seem odd for me to say it, but my dream is the disappearance of my shelter one day because people will have learned not to abandon their animals. For now, however, I have to fight to keep the place open for the ones we can save, and for whom we can find good, caring new homes. I yearn for people to learn about animal protection, and I think my center contributes to this in its own unique way.Ó

Meanwhile, if any company or individual wishes to contribute to her cause, she would find a laptop computer of great value both in running the center and for use during lectures. She said: "it would allow me to show my listeners pictures of the center and our animals, and make my lectures much more interesting for people. Pictures of something dramatic like an ill-treated dog, or our veterinarian operating on a sick cat, truly are worth a thousand spoken words by me.Ó"

Over the years prior to founding today's virtual state-of-the-art center, when she secretly rented numerous courtyards and other locations to care for a continually growing number of animals, Zhang Luping estimates she has personally contributed around 10 million yuan of her own money to her cause, including the cost of her original center in Mentougou District. That was in 1997, when she was caring for about 80 cats and dogs.

Last year she re-located to a large piece of land close to the Aircraft Museum in Changping, where she built the 3.65 million yuan premises that now house more than 300 cats and dogs. Her personal contribution to the new center was 1.6 million yuan Ð virtually all she had left after having in the beginning sold her real-estate and restaurant businesses. These new premises were licensed as the city's first private animal-rescue and adoption center, resulting in the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) contributing a further US$60,000.

Britain's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) gave her a further $50,000. "We chose to contribute because there was a very clear, identifiable plan,Ó recalls Paul Littlefair, East Asian program manager for the RSPCA's international department. "We were very impressed by the organization. Zhang Luping is not some wacky dreamer who will keep coming back asking for more. She is a practical, hands-on businesswoman.

There could be no finer tribute to this remarkable woman, who along with all her other tribulations, including years living "On the run" to elude arrest and possible prosecution for harboring abandoned domestic pets, overcame breast cancer. "that was 12 years ago,"Ó she recalls. " I had an operation, and although the doctors told me to go back for checkups, I never did. The animals were taking up all of my time..."

Now Zhang Luping finds herself at something of a crossroads in her endeavors. There is no question of her giving up on her dreams and ambitions in face of financial difficulties because it would neutralize everything she has worked for and achieved. Her story cannot fail to impress, any more than can the superb center she and her equally dedicated staff and volunteers have created. In itself, its very existence makes nonsense of foreignersÕ perceived view of a China whose people care not one whit about animals, and who without exception treat them cruelly. A mere one minute at the center demonstrates otherwise. Even tourists to China are astonished at what they find there, and often feel bound to try and help Zhang Luping.

There is little doubt that many official and other organizations in Beijing could, if they really sat down and thought about it, make a major contribution to Zhang's center without detracting from their own interests. One example: last winter, the unheated center's electricity bill for minimal use of electric blankets alone by staff members was a massive 60,000 yuan.

Is it really beyond the wit of the electricity authorities to contribute a special discount for the center? Few people realize that the charge for the center's electricity supply is about three times that of domestic households because the center is deemed an industrial entity.

More heart-warming, though on the volunteer front, is the habit of Bu Tieli and his wife Wang Xiaohong, who have adopted six dogs from the center. Each weekend they take them back for a visit, and on each occasion Wang Xiaohong cooks a fine meal for the staff before busying herself with making pet cushions and neat little coats for the dogs who stay there.

Many other dedicated volunteers also provide help, including the regular jobs of feeding the cats and dogs, cleaning, receiving guests and showing them around, and massaging dogs with various forms of paralysis after brutal treatment by former owners. They also visit homes which have adopted pets to ensure they are being properly cared for. Volunteers include professional people who help out with marketing, preparing documents, adding to the center's web-site, maintaining accounting records, auditing and legal consultancy.

Not for the weak-hearted-true Stories from some of Zhang's Current Guests

Hu Tou, aged 18 months
Last spring Hu Tou was savagely beaten by a group of men trying to kill him for their meal. Good people came to the rescue, and the seriously injured dog was taken to Zhang Luping's shelter. Sticking from his head was a piece of iron, but an immediate operation saved his life. Parts of Hu Tou's skin remains hairless due to his attackersÕ burning him with chemicals. Happily, the dog has been adopted into a loving, caring family.

Shuai Shuai, aged 18 months
This delightful dog belonged to a very rich family, but he became seriously ill with a virus infection. His owner became impatient with the dog's condition, but Shuai Shuai regained his health. During recovery, he swallowed a small ball, making his owner so angry that he took Shuai Shuai to the veterinary hospital at China Agriculture University and abandoned it there. Doctor Pan removed the ball and called Zhang Luping. On arrival there, she found playful Shuai Shuai chained to a table leg, surrounded by spilt rice all over the floor. Shuai Shuai now plays with balls to his heart's content at his new adoptive home with Bu Tieli and his wife Wang Xiaohong, who care for five other dogs from the shelter.

Dian Dian and Ding Ding
Dian Dian was bought from Taiwan by a rich businessman as a gift for a Beijing official. Although an expensive breed, the dog was fed with nothing but corn flour and always kept in a cage. She was so weak that she could barely walk. Seven months ago, her owner arranged for her to become pregnant, but she became even weaker due to lack of nutrition.

A few days before Dian Dian was due to give birth, her owner became frightened because she seemed about to die. Taken to the shelter, Zhang Luping and her staff could not believe that the emaciated bitch was pregnant. But they pulled her through her crisis, and the result was the arrival of daughter Ding Ding and another puppy. The latter soon died because Dian Dian's badly shrunken womb asphyxiated it. The womb had to be removed, but Dian Dian and her daughter are now in good health.

Barbi, aged one year
Barbi belonged to a rich family residing in a high-class Beijing villa. He was never allowed into the house because he was regarded only as a toy for the family's small boy. Barbi spent his life chained in the outside yard, even on the coldest days of winter when his bowls of water and rice turned solid. Neighbors saw his plight and called the shelter, which immediately sent a rescue team to remove the dog from his miserable situation. The rescuers met no resistance. During his first week at the shelter, Barbi was unable to walk normally, and was suspicious of the nutritious food served to him because he did not recognize what it was. Today he is one of the most active dogs at the shelter, and has a healthy appetite.

What You Can Do For the ShelterÉ.
To help the shelter, you don't necessarily have to dig deep into your purse or wallet. Every little helps, and is gratefully received by Zhang Luping and her team. A few examples:

Dog Jacket: 40 yuan (200 jackets are needed at present)
One Hour't Electricity: 400 yuan (night heating)
Spraying/Neutering: 1,000 yuan covers the cost of such operations for three bitches or five dogs
Old Bath Towels: the shelter needs 100 each month
Cat Litter: 50 bags are required each month

If you reside in Beijing, Sign Up Now as a Volunteer!
Urgently Required:
2 people to answer phones during weekends
Doctors to hold training sessions
Web page designer or those who can maintain them
One lawyer
One accountant
10 volunteers to host visiting families who have adopted animals from the shelter
2 volunteers to handle Public Relations
2 volunteers to handle monthly activities.

For the foreigners of Tianjin, you can helpÉ.
Please contact Ginger Duval at mgduval@public.tpt.tj.cn
or mobile: 136 0218 1152.
With assistance from Beijing This Month, Ginger Duval will ensure your donations get to the shelter as soon as possible! All readers are invited to make donations in some form.

Unfortunately, you may only adopt a 'new furry friend' if you reside in Beijing, due to Madam Luping's excellent policy of following up and visiting the new homes of her "furry old friends'.Õ.

However, our readers are invited to visit the center at any time, but an appointment is recommended. Just call (010) 6178-6778, or (010) 6178-6779 (keep trying if there is no answer; sometimes the center does not have staff available to handle calls).

This article kindly contributed by Beijing This Month December 2002 issue.